In a fundamental change of policy, the HSE will soon end the free psychiatric medication service, which has been provided to patients in the greater Dublin area for many years. The first change to the Psychiatric Scheme was introduced back in October 2010 and required medical card holders to have their prescriptions transcribed onto a medical card prescription by their GP, before they could collect them from their pharmacy.

Starting from the 1st November 2011 all non-GMS patients, both private and DPS, will have to pay in full for their medication (up to a threshold of €120 per calender month in the case of DPS patients). As some of these medicines can be very expensive, the decision will likely cause significant hardship for many patients who are already struggling with increased costs and reduced incomes.

This move will bring to an end a somewhat controversial pilot scheme, which was only available to Co. Dublin residents, and gave pharmacist administering it, more that its fair share of headaches.